I have started to press the “Select a Random Hero” button every time I start a new Dota 2 match. I’d spent 50 matches in a row playing the same small number of characters before deciding it was time to branch out. I’m partially addicted to the bonus gold I get for playing a random Hero, partially in love with discovering their intricacies, partially in love with not knowing what I’m getting into.

That last part makes my team pretty mad, but hey, learning is hard.

Exit Theatre Mode

I’ve been spending time with Spirit Breaker, Enigma, Naga Siren, Phantom Lancer, Outworld Devourer, Dark Seer, and some others I’ve enjoyed playing. Rarely do I find myself unhappy with having played someone new -- even if I’ve played poorly, I’ve discovered how they work, whether I’m playing as them or against them next time.

That Dota has literally more than 100 of these guys, gals, and monsters for me to learn is exhilarating. I can’t wait to try them all. But it’s a lot to take in.

Many people rely on YouTube or wiki guides for tips. They watch pro games, or spectate their friends to learn from their mistakes. Dota 2 seems to have 1001 ways to absorb its depth. It’s just a shame none of that actually exists within the game’s mechanics, systems, or interface. It’s a punishing trial-by-fire, and it’s turning many of my friends away from it.

You’re well-versed in Dota 2’s exhausting list of characters and their skills, the complex relationships they have, and the flexibility of their roles. Tell me: What is the best way to learn Dota? Not to play it better -- I don’t know if I’ll ever be good -- but to understand its design.

Mitch,

I’m here to make you sad.

I recently played my 500th game of Dota 2. I’ve spent over 1200 hours playing, watching, and researching the game. Those 100+ guys, gals, and monsters you spoke of? I’m comfortable with maybe half of them, and “good” with only a handful.

But, as you pointed out, good and informed are different things. One quick observation! Since Dota 2 hooked me a year and a half ago, I’ve had the pleasure of introducing several people to Valve’s MOBA. Those who still play today jumped in with more experienced friends who were capable of explaining Dota’s more confusing bits. Those who gave up tried to learn on their own.

Exit Theatre Mode

Dota’s tutorials can teach you how to move your hero, how to attack, how to use skills, and how to buy items, but the game doesn’t teach you when it’s smart to leave a lane to score an early kill on the enemy.

Or when you should aggressively ward the enemy’s side of the map for vision.

Or when you should buy a Gem of True Sight to counter invisible heroes.

Or when you should rush to build a Radiance sword for extra area damage.

Or when you should battle the giant dragon, Roshan, and grab Dota’s own 1UP resurrection item.

These unknowns I’ve listed (and thousands of others) don’t have firm solutions. Every match of Dota is a different combination of heroes, skill builds, items purchases, ward arrangements, player skills, and other factors.

At the risk of sounding like some kind of Dota elitist, there is no shortcut to developing a stronger understanding or sense of the game. Only by playing tons of matches, thinking about what went right or wrong, asking better players questions, and taking action will you become better and more informed.

Dota does not care about you or your time. Do you want to play tonight?

-Brian

Brian,

That’s sort of my problem -- and yes, it makes me sad.

I’ve played significantly less than you with just 300 matches under my belt, and I feel lost. I love Dota, but you’re right: It doesn’t love me. It doesn’t need me to, either. With nearly nine million players, is it worth it to worry about one wayward soul? Or 100? Or 100,000?

Valve recently announced a new Hero for Dota 2. I dread having to learn how to play, and how to win as or against, Techies. Every new Hero means a totally new play style, new team compositions, new problems to solve.

Exit Theatre Mode

I wouldn’t play Dota as aggressively as I do if I didn’t enjoy it so much, but regardless of my adoration, it doesn’t change that this is problematic. Problematic because it’s alienating. Problematic because it scales victories toward the educated, the ultra-hardcore, the ones who want something more than just another game to play.

I don’t know that Dota 2 can fix its big problem, honestly. I research Dota like most adults would research relevant international turmoil, political races, and historical events. As you said, there’s so much to ingest that it would require more time to take it in than to simply endure the trial-by-fire. Because it’s a game that evolves constantly over time, it’s even more challenging to stay informed. You’ve found a nice mix.

But I still feel lost.

I guess this means that, yes, I do want to play tonight. I feel like I have to.